pinata
UK[pɪnˈjɑːtə]US[pɪnˈjɑːtə]
n
A decorated container, often made of papier-mâché and shaped like an animal or object, filled with sweets and small toys, which is hung up and broken open with a stick as part of a celebration.
n
The game or activity involving such a container.
Etymology
The word 'piñata' entered English directly from Mexican Spanish, where it retains its original spelling with a tilde. Its journey begins in Italy, from the Italian word 'pignatta', meaning "fragile pot," likely derived from 'pigna' (pine cone), due to the traditional pot's resemblance to a pine cone. The Italian term itself can be traced to the Latin 'pīnea', meaning "pine cone." The custom and the word traveled from Italy to Spain and then to the Americas, where it became a central part of festive celebrations. The modern English meaning has fully abstracted from the literal "pot" to signify the specific decorated container and the celebratory game associated with it.
Analysis
The word is a loanword from Spanish, borrowed as a single, unanalyzed unit into English. It does not contain separable morphemes within the modern English spelling.
Examples
The children cheered as they took turns trying to break the colorful pinata.
For her birthday party, we filled the pinata with candy and stickers.
Hitting the pinata blindfolded is the most challenging and fun part of the game.